ASHLEY'S POV
I couldn't take off the thoughts of the conversation I overheard the previous night. I kept on turning on the bed before I finally slept, but the minute the first ray of sun found its way into my room, I sprang up.
I had to be on alert. There was a threat to my life, and right now I didn't know if I should just give up and go back to Ryder or stay with Dante.
Come to think of it, why didn't he come to inform me about the threat? Did he plan to keep it from me? No, I wouldn't let it; I had to go meet him.
"Dante!" I yelled, coming out of his chambers as I noticed he didn't even sleep inside it too. "Dan—" I bumped into Sophia, who asked me if I was okay.
"Are you okay, ma'am? You don't look very well." Sophia's eyes became teary.
"It's fine, I'm okay. I just need to find Dante," I answered. I wanted to go confront Dante.
"Uhm, he's currently in a meeting. I'd advise you to take your breakfast, shower, and then go meet him," Sophia suggested, but I was too angry to wait.
"Thanks for the suggestions," I faked a smile. "It's okay, just keep the meal in my chambers; I won't take much of his time." I dismissed Sophia and headed straight to the meeting room.
With every step I took, my heart began to beat faster. I didn't know if I should change my mind or not, but I wanted him to know how angry I was.
But the cold feet even grew when I was faced with a big brown door in front of me, and then I took in a deep breath and pushed it open. I regretted pushing it the moment I did.
"What are you doing here?" Dante said gently.
"I wish to speak with you in private," I mustered an amount of confidence.
"As you can see, we are in a meeting. You should come back later," one of the men in the meeting room uttered.
"I'm sorry, it can't wait. I want to let him in on something and then continue with my life," I maintained my stance.
"Fine," Dante finally agreed, but then whispered something to a blonde man who stood beside him. It must be his assistant.
And once he stood, I turned and left the door waiting to lash out at him.
"What problem can't wait till I'm done with the pack meeting?" Dante started, his silver eyes glaring at me.
I took in a deep breath, trying to gather the courage I would use to shout at the amazing face that stood in front of me.
"Am I safe?" I began.
"I'm sorry? Is this what you want to ask me?" The dark-haired man raised an eyebrow.
"Answer the damn question." I grew impatient.
"Of course you are safe; did anyone hurt you?"
"Is there a threat on my life?" I decided to go straight to the point.
"I-uh, everything is under—"
"I know about the letter, Dante." I confronted him as his eyes widened in shock.
"It's not a big deal; it's under control."
"I should know about this, Dante." I covered the spaces between us. "I waited for you to return to your chambers yesterday and talk about it. You completely forgot I broke my ankle; now, how is that not a big deal, Dante?"
"I didn't want you to be worried."
"This is not a secret to keep."
"And I apologize. This meeting going on back there is to discuss your safety."
"How do you think they're not the ones who sent the letter?"
"I don't think—"
"You're putting my life in jeopardy." I paused for a while. "God, I need some air." I started running off.
"Ashley, please wait." He ran after me, holding my wrist.
"Let me go, Dante." I broke free from his shackles and kept on running and listened closely as his footsteps headed back to the meeting.
I knew I shouldn't have scolded him; he was just trying to help. But after my years with Ryder, it was impossible to trust someone else with my life.
I had grown to understand that no one cared for me, and I had to care for myself.
I quickly headed to the patio loveseat in the garden, wiping my eyes from the tears I had released when I started hearing strange footsteps.
"Who is there?" I questioned, as I stood to my feet, ready to practice the new moves I had learned the previous day.
"Don't be silly, sweetheart, I thought you'd be expecting me?" Emma appeared from the flowers.
"How on earth did you get into this place?" I asked. My insides were scared, but I had to portray a strong front.
"If I tell you now, darling, what's the fun in it all?" The blonde-haired wolf chuckled, and in minutes she had pinned me to the wall.
"What... do you want from me?" I fought to speak as she tightened her grip on my neck.
"Nothing really. The truth is, you need me more than I need you." A mischievous grin played at the small corners of her lips.
"Who are you? Why are you tormenting me?"
"Well, I'm not. Just go back to Ryder and I leave you alone. But before then, I think you need to ask your Lord Dante some questions." Emma let go of my neck and stood to her feet.
"Which questions?" My curiosity was piqued.
"Thought you wouldn't ask. Here you go." She brought out a picture from her pocket and handed it over to me. "Do you know who she is?"
It was a picture of Dante and a strange pretty lady kissing. Had he rejected a mate just like how I was rejected? What crime did the mate commit?
"But how did you get this pic—" I shifted my gaze from the picture and noticed that Emma had disappeared, leaving me with a photo and lots of questions.